411 research outputs found
Optical markers of magnetic phase transition in CrSBr
Here, we investigate the role of the interlayer magnetic ordering of CrSBr in
the framework of calculations and by using optical
spectroscopy techniques. These combined studies allow us to unambiguously
determine the nature of the optical transitions. In particular,
photoreflectance measurements, sensitive to the direct transitions, have been
carried out for the first time. We have demonstrated that optically induced
band-to-band transitions visible in optical measurement are remarkably well
assigned to the band structure by the momentum matrix elements and energy
differences for the magnetic ground state (A-AFM). In addition, our study
reveals significant differences in electronic properties for two different
interlayer magnetic phases. When the magnetic ordering of A-AFM to FM is
changed, the crucial modification of the band structure reflected in the
direct-to-indirect band gap transition and the significant splitting of the
conduction bands along the direction are obtained. In addition,
Raman measurements demonstrate a splitting between the in-plane modes
/, which is temperature dependent and can be assigned to
different interlayer magnetic states, corroborated by the DFT+U study.
Moreover, the mode has not been experimentally observed before.
Finally, our results point out the origin of interlayer magnetism, which can be
attributed to electronic rather than structural properties. Our results reveal
a new approach for tuning the optical and electronic properties of van der
Waals magnets by controlling the interlayer magnetic ordering in adjacent
layers.Comment: 33 pages, 15 figure
FOXO-regulated transcription restricts overgrowth of Tsc mutant organs
FOXO is thought to function as a repressor of growth that is, in turn, inhibited by insulin signaling. However, inactivating mutations in Drosophila melanogaster FOXO result in viable flies of normal size, which raises a question over the involvement of FOXO in growth regulation. Previously, a growth-suppressive role for FOXO under conditions of increased target of rapamycin (TOR) pathway activity was described. Here, we further characterize this phenomenon. We show that tuberous sclerosis complex 1 mutations cause increased FOXO levels, resulting in elevated expression of FOXO-regulated genes, some of which are known to antagonize growth-promoting pathways. Analogous transcriptional changes are observed in mammalian cells, which implies that FOXO attenuates TOR-driven growth in diverse species
Microscopic parameters of the van der Waals CrSBr antiferromagnet from microwave absorption experiments
Microwave absorption experiments employing a phase-sensitive external
resistive detection are performed for a topical van der Waals antiferromagnet
CrSBr. The field dependence of two resonance modes is measured in an applied
field parallel to the three principal crystallographic directions, revealing
anisotropies and magnetic transitions in this material. To account for the
observed results, we formulate a microscopic spin model with a bi-axial
single-ion anisotropy and inter-plane exchange. Theoretical calculations give
an excellent description of full magnon spectra enabling us to precisely
determine microscopic interaction parameters for CrSBr.Comment: includes a supplementary information documen
Stabilization of black phosphorus by sonication-assisted simultaneous exfoliation and functionalization
Black phosphorus (BP) has extraordinary properties, but its ambient instability remains a critical challenge. Functionalization has been employed to overcome the sensitivity of BP to ambient conditions while preserving its properties. Herein, a simultaneous exfoliationâfunctionalization process is reported that functionalizes BP flakes during exfoliation and thus provides increased protection, which can be attributed to minimal exposure of the flakes to ambient oxygen and water. A tetrabutylammonium salt was employed for intercalation of BP, resulting in the formation of flakes with large lateral dimensions. The addition of an aryl iodide or an aryl iodonium salt to the exfoliation solvent creates a scalable strategy for the production of functionalized fewâlayer BP flakes. The ambient stability of functionalized BP was prolonged to a period of one week, as revealed by STEM, AFM, and Xâray photoelectron spectroscopy
Redox-Active Metaphosphate-Like Terminals Enable High-Capacity MXene Anodes for Ultrafast Na-Ion Storage
D transition metal carbides and/or nitrides, so-called MXenes, are noted as ideal fast-charging cation-intercalation electrode materials, which nevertheless suffer from limited specific capacities. Herein, it is reported that constructing redox-active phosphorusâoxygen terminals can be an attractive strategy for NbC MXenes to remarkably boost their specific capacities for ultrafast Na storage. As revealed, redox-active terminals with a stoichiometric formula of PO- display a metaphosphate-like configuration with each P atom sustaining three P-O bonds and one P=O dangling bond. Compared with conventional O-terminals, metaphosphate-like terminals empower NbC (denoted PO-NbC) with considerably enriched carrier density (fourfold), improved conductivity (12.3-fold at 300 K), additional redox-active sites, boosted Nb redox depth, nondeclined Na-diffusion capability, and buffered internal stress during Na intercalation/de-intercalation. Consequently, compared with O-terminated NbC, PO-NbC exhibits a doubled Na-storage capacity (221.0 mAh g), well-retained fast-charging capability (4.9 min at 80% capacity retention), significantly promoted cycle life (nondegraded capacity over 2000 cycles), and justified feasibility for assembling energyâpower-balanced Na-ion capacitors. This study unveils that the molecular-level design of MXene terminals provides opportunities for developing simultaneously high-capacity and fast-charging electrodes, alleviating the energyâpower tradeoff typical for energy-storage devices
Genome-wide association study of generalized anxiety symptoms in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos
Although generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is heritable and aggregates in families, no genomic loci associated with GAD have been reported. We aimed to discover potential loci by conducting a genome-wide analysis of GAD symptoms in a large, population-based sample of Hispanic/Latino adults. Data came from 12,282 participants (aged 18â74) in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos. Using a shorted Spielberger Trait Anxiety measure, we analyzed: (1) a total trait anxiety score based on summing responses to all ten items; and (2) a GAD symptoms score restricted to the three items tapping diagnostic features of GAD as defined by DSM-V. We first calculated the heritability due to common variants (h2SNP) and then conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of GAD symptoms. Replication was attempted in three independent Hispanic cohorts (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis, Womenâs Health Initiative, Army STARRS). The GAD symptoms score showed evidence of modest heritability (7.2%; p=0.03), while the total trait anxiety score did not (4.97%; p=0.20). One genotyped SNP (rs78602344) intronic to Thrombospondin 2 (THBS2) was nominally associated (p=4.18Ă10â8) in the primary analysis adjusting for psychiatric medication use and significantly associated with the GAD symptoms score in the analysis excluding medication users (p=4.18Ă10â8). However, meta-analysis of the replication samples did not support this association. Although GWAS revealed a genome-wide significant locus in this sample, we were unable to replicate this finding. Evidence for heritability was also only detected for GAD symptoms, and not the trait anxiety measure, suggesting differential genetic influences within the domain of trait anxiety
Case report: Infective endocarditis caused by Brevundimonas vesicularis
BACKGROUND: There are few reports in the literature of invasive infection caused by Brevundimonas vesicularis in patients without immunosuppression or other predisposing factors. The choice of antimicrobial therapy for bacteremia caused by the pathogen requires more case experience to be determined. CASE PRESENTATION: The case of a 40-year-old previously healthy man with subacute endocarditis proposed to be contributed from an occult dental abscess is described. The infection was found to be caused by B. vesicularis on blood culture results. The patient recovered without sequelae after treatment with ceftriaxone followed by subsequent ciprofloxacin therapy owing to an allergic reaction to ceftriaxone and treatment failure with ampicillin/sulbactam. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first report of B. vesicularis as a cause of infective endocarditis. According to an overview of the literature and our experience, we suggest that third-generation cephalosporins, piperacillin/tazobactam, and ciprofloxacin are effective in treating invasive B. vesicularis infections, while the efficacy of ampicillin-sulbactam needs further evaluation
Single-Trait and Multi-Trait Genome-Wide Association Analyses Identify Novel Loci for Blood Pressure in African-Ancestry Populations
Hypertension is a leading cause of global disease, mortality, and disability. While individuals of African descent suffer a disproportionate burden of hypertension and its complications, they have been underrepresented in genetic studies. To identify novel susceptibility loci for blood pressure and hypertension in people of African ancestry, we performed both single and multiple-trait genome-wide association analyses. We analyzed 21 genome-wide association studies comprised of 31,968 individuals of African ancestry, and validated our results with additional 54,395 individuals from multi-ethnic studies. These analyses identified nine loci with eleven independent variants which reached genome-wide significance (P \u3c 1.25Ă10â8) for either systolic and diastolic blood pressure, hypertension, or for combined traits. Single-trait analyses identified two loci (TARID/TCF21 and LLPH/TMBIM4) and multiple-trait analyses identified one novel locus (FRMD3) for blood pressure. At these three loci, as well as at GRP20/CDH17, associated variants had alleles common only in African-ancestry populations. Functional annotation showed enrichment for genes expressed in immune and kidney cells, as well as in heart and vascular cells/tissues. Experiments driven by these findings and using angiotensin-II induced hypertension in mice showed altered kidney mRNA expression of six genes, suggesting their potential role in hypertension. Our study provides new evidence for genes related to hypertension susceptibility, and the need to study African-ancestry populations in order to identify biologic factors contributing to hypertension
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